Joe Lycett will look into water companies for a new Channel 4 documentary titled “The UK faces a sewage crisis.”
The Joe Lycett vs. Poo investigative special airs at a time when water companies are still under investigation for sewage spills, deteriorating infrastructure, and governance problems.
During the show, Lycett participated in a practical joke to promote his most recent fictitious podcast, Turdcast, in which a gigantic inflatable toilet known as the Turdis unintentionally spilled fake sewage into Liverpool Docks.
It was confirmed that the spill was marine mud and that the stunt had no negative biological or environmental effects on the surrounding area.
Lycett, 35, said: “I spilled fake sewage because I wanted to get people talking about the billions of litres of real sewage that are released every year by our water companies.
“Last year, according to one analysis the water companies paid shareholders £1.4 billion in dividends. That’s a lot of money that could have been used to improve the sewer network and reduce spills.
“We’re asking the water companies to stop paying dividends and instead invest the money in solving this problem.”
To join Joe’s Poo Promise, the comedian is urging people to “write to your water company.”
The TV program follows Lycett’s confrontations with the oil industry and former England football player David Beckham in various Channel 4 specials to expose the true cost of the World Cup in Qatar.
His latest hour-long documentary is billed as an investigation into “how our waterways have become so polluted and why water companies have been allowed to taint one of our most precious resources”.
Tom Beck, head of live events and commissioning editor for Channel 4, said: “Joe is our leading mischief maker; he uses humour, wit and absolute fearlessness to call out companies, celebrities and even our politicians.
“He’s taken on the oil giants and David Beckham; now he’s highlighting one of our biggest environmental issues by diving into the murky waters of the utility companies polluting our seas and rivers.
“It will be provocative, revealing, important and feature lots of poo jokes. Who else could promise all of that?”
Iain Wimbush, joint managing director of Rumpus Media, said: “Having tackled national treasures, entire states and oil giants, Joe has now set his sights on the growing scourge of poor practice by water companies.
“Joe has an innate ability to find new ways to get people engaged with subjects that might not be getting the attention they deserve, and we look forward to a day when we can all enjoy waters in the UK without fear of finding they’re filled with excrement.”
The show is scheduled to premiere in 2024.
